U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Appropriations Committees and Chair of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH), Chair of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee have issued a joint statement after visiting Georgia.

“In the face of increasingly aggressive actions from authoritarian nations like Russia, who invaded Georgia 16 years ago, it was important that we reaffirm the United States’ enduring support for the right of the Georgian people to have a country that can determine its own future,” said Senator Shaheen.

“During our meetings with government officials and civil society organizations, we recommitted to supporting the Georgian people’s aspirations for European integration – but we also made clear that we won’t sit back amid democratic backsliding and false statements targeted toward the United States. We must see free and fair elections and good-faith efforts to work to repeal the foreign agents law that is doing the nation more harm than good in advancing its agenda for EU membership. The first step to get back on track must come from the Georgian government, and we wait to hear its proposal," she added.

According to House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Michael Turner, "the U.S.-Georgian relationship has historically been one of the strongest in the region, yet recent developments against democratic values have caused significant concern in the United States and European Union. Senator Shaheen and I made clear that these concerns are bipartisan and bicameral. Furthermore U.S. policy will not change regardless of the change in the U.S. Administration."

“It is imperative that the parliamentary elections in October be free, fair and transparent to the Georgian people and international observers. I am grateful to Senator Shaheen for her unwavering deep commitment to the U.S.-Georgian relationship as well as the invitation to join her on this visit at this critical time.” he said.

During their visit, Senator Shaheen and Chair Turner met with the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani to once again raise concerns about democratic backsliding following the passage of the foreign agents law and anti-Western rhetoric and communicate the United States’ commitment to its longstanding partnership with Georgia to achieve a Euro-Atlantic future, including by facilitating a free and fair election in October. Marking the 16th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Georgia, Shaheen and Turner visited the Administrative Boundary Line in South Ossetia to observe Russia’s continued occupation, underscore the importance of Georgia’s territorial integrity and reaffirm support for Georgia’s security. Shaheen and Turner’s visit comes amid U.S. action to pause bilateral assistance to Georgia following recent actions undertaken by the Georgian government. Earlier this year, Shaheen introduced the bipartisan Georgian People’s Act to hold Georgian government officials accountable for corruption, human rights abuses and efforts to undermine Georgia’s democracy and territorial integrity.

In addition to meeting with Georgian government officials, Shaheen and Turner met with civil society organizations and visited two USAID projects – including meeting with young people from the Gori region and a discussion with Georgian entrepreneurs who receive USAID support to increase economic opportunities in the region.